AtD translation: patent dinner pail

[Mike Jing]

P27.31-35   “Dally, ya little weasel,” Merle greeted her, “the corn
liquor’s all gone, I fear, it’ll have to be back to the old cow juice for
you, real sorry,” as he went rummaging in a patent dinner pail filled with
ice. The child, meanwhile, having caught sight of the Chums in their summer
uniforms, stood gazing, her eyes wide, as if deciding how well behaved she
ought to be.

Is a "patent dinner pail" a dinner pail with patent leather on the outside?
Or more likely, glossy like patent leather?
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